Cognitive Science at Washington University in St Louis

Washington University's Cognitive Science graduates earn significantly less than what the program typically delivers nationally—landing in just the 11th percentile with first-year earnings of $31,000 versus a $41,000 national median. This is particularly striking given WashU's elite status (12% acceptance rate, 1530 average SAT). Students are entering one of the country's most selective universities but exiting with earnings 25% below the national norm for their degree.

The $17,500 debt load appears reasonable on the surface, matching national benchmarks and creating a manageable 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, context matters: this is the only cognitive science program in Missouri, which explains why it ranks at the 60th percentile statewide—there's simply no in-state competition for comparison. The real concern is why WashU graduates aren't leveraging the university's prestigious network into stronger starting salaries when peers at other schools are doing substantially better.

For families paying WashU's premium tuition (even after aid), these outcomes warrant serious scrutiny. If your student is passionate about cognitive science, investigate whether graduates are pursuing graduate school, which could explain the modest initial earnings. Otherwise, this looks like a case where the institutional prestige isn't translating into commensurate career outcomes—at least not in the first year. Consider whether related majors at WashU might offer better returns.